2019 Elections: Police To Withdraw Over 20,000 Security Aides Of VIPs

2019 Elections: Police To Withdraw Over 20,000 Security Aides Of VIPs

The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to withdraw officers
attached to ‘Very Important Persons’ in preparation for the forthcoming
elections.

ACP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer in an interview with
Punch newspaper said politicians would be affected by the recall because
the force needs every officer to maintain peace and security at the
coming elections.  

Mba said: “the withdrawal of policemen is going to cut across all
borders, including politicians, party chairmen, state commissioners and
businessmen. It will affect everyone that has policemen attached to
them.  

“There are two basic rationales for the withdrawal of policemen; One,
we need all hands on deck for the purpose of securing the electoral
process. Number two, we also need to be proactive in ensuring that
unscrupulous people do not hide under the cover of security or policemen
providing security to create problems during the elections. These are
some of the reasons we need to mop up as many policemen as possible.”  

Mohammed Adamu, Acting Inspector-General of Police, had on Wednesday
stated that the force would provide security for observers, escort
sensitive materials, as well as to protect critical national assets
during the elections.

“In order to ensure full mobilisation and deployment of personnel
for these duties, we shall in the coming days prune down or order the
withdrawal of SPU and CTU operatives that are currently on non-essential
duties including those attached to certain categories of personalities”
he said.